3DsoundSurge Press Release: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX Transforms the PC Into a Home Recording Studio

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX Transforms the PC Into a Home Recording Studio

Music Creation Platform Enables 24-bit/96kHz Multi-Channel Recording

MILPITAS, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Creative Technology Ltd. (Nasdaq: CREAF), a worldwide leader in digital entertainment for PC users, today announced immediate shipment of the only THX®-certified consumer sound card capable of six-channel DVD-Audio quality 24-bit/96kHz recording. The new Sound Blaster® Audigy(TM) 2 Platinum eX includes the convenient and easy-to-use Audigy 2 External I/O Module for home studio quality connectivity through three analog stereo connections, plus optical and coaxial digital I/O, full-sized MIDI I/O and two SB1394(TM) (FireWire®) ports. Featuring ASIO(TM) 2.0 support for low-latency recording and a host of music creation software, the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX enables aspiring musicians to use the PC as a recording studio, all for only US$249.99.

The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX joins a celebrated family of Audigy 2 sound cards that set a new standard for PC audio, as the only solution available for DVD-Audio playback on the PC. Heralded for Dolby® Digital EX support for DVD movies and 6.1-surround sound for games, music and movies, the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 won "Editor's Choice" Awards from Computer Gaming World, PC Gamer and Computer Games magazines, a 5 out of 5 score from PC Magazine® and the "Kick Ass! Award" and "Gear of the Year Award" from Maximum PC®.

Unparalleled audio playback quality

Sound Blaster 24-bit ADVANCED HD(TM) audio playback at 106dB SNR delivers up to eight times the clarity of motherboard audio. Its DVD-Audio playback capabilities introduce listeners to details and clarity in recordings that far exceed the limits of vinyl, tape or CD. Anyone with a DVD-ROM drive of 6x or greater can utilize the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 to experience Advanced Resolution(TM) DVD-Audio with amazing 24-bit/192kHz sound quality. For MP3, WMA or CD playback, the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX includes Creative MediaSource(TM), the most comprehensive player for digital music transfer, library management and enhancements, including up-mix of stereo MP3 music into full 6.1 surround sound.

Six-channel low-latency recording for the aspiring musician

The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX stands apart from its award-winning predecessors by offering 24-bit/96kHz recording capability for six channels with a pure recording path and high-performance analog-to-digital converters to accurately capture the full quality and subtle details of any kind of music. With ASIO 2.0 support, the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 enables direct monitoring and audio driver latency values as low as two milliseconds.

Comprehensive music creation software bundle

The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX includes a compelling audio and video software bundle, including the following music creation applications:

    -- Steinberg -- Cubasis VST(TM) 4.0 Creative Edition + Wavelab Lite 2.0
       -- the complete music production solution, with low latency multitrack
       ASIO recording and playback of up to 32 audio and 32 MIDI channels with
       integrated SoundFont(R) support plus VST instruments and effects with
       mixer automation;
    -- Sonic Foundry(TM) -- ACID(R) Style DJ 3.0 -- turns the PC into the
       ultimate dance music production studio, to enable creation of club
       mixes;
    -- Native Instruments -- Traktor(TM) DJ Creative Edition -- provides dual
       outputs to cue up tracks in real time to create DJ mixes from MP3 or
       WAV tracks;
    -- Image Line -- FruityLoops(TM) Pro 3.5 Creative Edition -- serves as a
       pattern-based sequencer with built-in software synthesizers and VST
       instrument support.  This application also supports ASIO playback and
       VST and DirectX(R) effects.

Pricing and Availability

The Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX is currently shipping with an estimated street price of US$249.99. For more information about any Sound Blaster Audigy 2, visit www.soundblaster.com.

About Creative

Creative is a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for PC users. Famous for its Sound Blaster® sound cards and for launching the multimedia revolution, Creative is now driving digital entertainment on the PC platform with products like its highly acclaimed NOMAD® Jukebox. Creative's innovative hardware, proprietary technology, applications and services leverage the Internet, enabling consumers to experience high-quality digital entertainment -- anytime, anywhere.

NOTE: This announcement relates to products launched in the United States of America. The product names, content, prices and availability are subject to change and may differ elsewhere in the world according to local factors and requirements. Sound Blaster and Audigy are trademarks or registered trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd. in the United States and/or other countries. NOMAD is a registered trademark of Aonix and is used by Creative Technology Ltd. and/or its affiliates under license. THX is a registered trademark of THX Ltd. Advanced Resolution is a trademark of the Recording Industry of America, Inc. All other brand and/or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are hereby recognized as such.

Source: Creative Technology Ltd.